After what the BBC have done in the last few weeks, I'm glad I didn't invest in an internet radio when I was thinking of doing so in the last year. Don't count on anything you buy working for very long -- or at all!

http://youtu.be/MdMVps5LTyE
If it's speed you're after, this Squeezebox Classic wins hands down.
It's got AUX and S/PDIF out and you can control it remotely over the Web and/or Wi-Fi LAN either by web browser or phone app.
You'll have to buy second hand cos it's discontinued.

You can access AAC+ and HLS streams if you're happy to run a server on a separate machine, with many platforms supported.

Yes I think the Squeezebox is probably one of the best out there for speed and compatibility but it is a chore setting it up to play HLS streams if you're not a bit of a computer geek. I don't know if Powerplay wants to get that complicated or whether he just wants something that's relatively simple to set up. The Touch is excellent with its touch screen interface though.

I have just purchased my second Roberts Internet Radio, that being a 64i. That will make 4 internet radios I have around the house. The other two are Pure Sensia and Pure One Flow. I hardly ever listen to other radio transmissions - all on the Internet now. The Roberts 64i is an all inbuilt hifi system with external digital inputs and built it speakers. A bit pricey but worth it.

Yes I think the Squeezebox is probably one of the best out there for speed and compatibility but it is a chore setting it up to play HLS streams if you're not a bit of a computer geek. I don't know if Powerplay wants to get that complicated or whether he just wants something that's relatively simple to set up. The Touch is excellent with its touch screen interface though.

I had noticed since the start of March the BBC online streams for BBC local changed and stopped using windows media player, I usually use winamp as it plays most formats until I purchase my first WiFi radio.

In layman's terms, what is the difference between a Squeezebox and a regular Roberts Internet radio?

I got a Revo Axis but the inbuilt speaker produces a very weedy sound not suitable even for speech programmes. But works well when played through my hi-fi and the Bluetooth connectivity is useful for relaying podcasts from my mobile phone through the hi-fi too. Shame the remote control does no more than turn it on and off and change the volume. And the inbuilt aerial is fixed so cannot be changed for a feed from a better aerial to give decent DAB reception. So rather than replacing my old Pure Evoke 2S it augments it. All in all a rather expensive way of being able to continue playing Planet Rock in stereo.

In layman's terms, what is the difference between a Squeezebox and a regular Roberts Internet radio?

Squeezebox Classic:
- No longer in production
- No in-built speaker
+ Fast navigation, buffering and playing
+ Remote control from app (for fast text input) / separate (but included) infrared remote
+ Additional server software to play music on local network
+ Custom podcasts and access to alternative radio directories
+ Has S/PDIF out
- AAC+ streams need server software for transcoding (unless you opt for a radio/touch model, but more expensive)
+ HLS streams playable with server software and configuring
+ Not reliant on external server (MySqueezeBox.com) for radio directory - futureproofed
+ Huge community of unofficial support and devs
+ Official RadioFeeds app

Roberts
+ In-built speaker(s)
+ Can play network shared music, but with basic functionality
- No custom podcasts and alternative radio directories
- Slow navigation, buffering and playing (in comparison)
- Only IR remote control (included. Some models may also support app control)
+ Can play AAC+ streams natively
- May not come with S/PDIF, depending on model
- Reliant on external server (Frontier Silicon) for radio directory
+ Official support from Roberts for a long time to come

I bought a Revo Axis a couple of years ago, and it's never let me down. Brilliant sound, streams smoothly without buffering and has a well designed UI. Gets a thumbs up from me.

I found it to be slow to navigate.
There's often an annoying lag, particularly when you're scrolling down a long list.
The touch-screen isn't particularly sensitive and you end up having to dig your fingernails into it, especially if the button you require is tight in a corner.

Squeezebox Classic:
- No longer in production
- No in-built speaker
+ Fast navigation, buffering and playing
+ Remote control from app (for fast text input) / separate (but included) infrared remote
+ Additional server software to play music on local network
+ Custom podcasts and access to alternative radio directories
+ Has S/PDIF out
- AAC+ streams need server software for transcoding (unless you opt for a radio/touch model, but more expensive)
+ HLS streams playable with server software and configuring
+ Not reliant on external server (MySqueezeBox.com) for radio directory - futureproofed
+ Huge community of unofficial support and devs
+ Official RadioFeeds app

Roberts
+ In-built speaker(s)
+ Can play network shared music, but with basic functionality
- No custom podcasts and alternative radio directories
- Slow navigation, buffering and playing (in comparison)
- Only IR remote control (included. Some models may also support app control)
+ Can play AAC+ streams natively
- May not come with S/PDIF, depending on model
- Reliant on external server (Frontier Silicon) for radio directory
+ Official support from Roberts for a long time to come

I see, so pros and cons on both sides. I'm surprised more manufacturers aren't making more models like Sony for example, but I guess they are too busy making Windows phones these days!

Or get an inexpensive Bluetooth receiver to plug into the hi-fi and use TuneIn from your mobile phone from the comfort of your armchair without any trailing leads.

This is what I done downstairs for the family to use. Makes a lot of sense and of course you get the best sound quality through a quality hi-fi. I also have an Android Box hooked up to the TV and hi-fi downstairs, and we use this even more these days as it frees up our phones! Radio has come on so much over the years!

I haver had a Pure Evoke Flow for four years now and it is excellent. I also use a Tesco Hudl connected to my HiFi for listening to Spotify. I just plug a cable into the headphone socket, turn the volume up to max on the Hudl and the quality is great.